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Back to School with Kid-Friendly Litterless Lunch Gear

Thermal features, stainless steel and easy-snap lids make the grade for litterless lunches (which are all the rage now!)

Andrea Traynor, kid-gear expert at MommyGearest.com

Other than proper hygiene and zippers, if you haven’t been practising opening, closing and re-packing lunch gear with your kids, we suggest that’s how you spend these last couple of weeks before school starts. Because all lunch containers and bags are not created equal, and what’s easy for a grade three may be wildly challenging for your kinder.

We tested a mountain of products to narrow it down to those that do more than just look good—they’re easy to keep clean and built to last, to boot. Speaking of boots, have you seen our round up of the best shoes for back to school? (See what we did there? You love it.)

<h1>Lunch bags: </h1><br />
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<p>There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a school lunch bag. Do you need it to fit drink containers? Is the zipper easy to maneuver? Will your child be able to re-create the Tetris-like organization required to pack it back up after lunch? Just one thing: choose your containers before you choose a bag, and try to fit everything in before ripping off the tags. This year’s top pics include the organic cotton <a href="http://keepleaf.com/shop/#lunchbag" target=_blank">Keep Leaf Lunch Bag</a> ($18), <a href="https://well.ca/products/skip-hop-zoo-lunchies-insulated_104731.html" target=_blank">Skip Hop ZOO Lunchies Insulated Lunch Bag </a>($15.99) and <a href="http://www.staples.ca/en/Me-to-We-Lunch-Bag-with-Strap/product_1599623_2-CA_1_20001?cmArea=home_box1" target=_blank">Me to We Lunch Bag</a> ($19.95).</p>

<h1>PlanetBox:</h1><br />
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<p>The <a href="http://www.theninetyninthmonkey.com/product/build-your-own-planetbox-launch-kit-with-pattern-angled-pocket-bag-you-must-choose-an-option-for-each-box/"target=_blank">Build your own PlanetBox Lunch Box</a> ($82-$150) won the hearts of our kid testers, and the extra storage for a drink and snack on the front of the insulated bag won the heart of this mom! It’s easy enough for a four year old to open and close, but the included containers may present a bit of a challenge. Good thing the Rover’s completely functional without them. Our tip? Skip the optional magnets—they need to be removed before washing. Ain’t nobody got time for that.</p>

<h1>Goodbyn: </h1><br />
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<p>Another excellent container for kids who hate their food touching! We loved how much space the <a href="https://well.ca/products/goodbyn-hero-purple_104978.html"target=_blank">Goodbyn Hero</a> ($13.50) offers, which effortlessly handles a well-balanced lunch and both morning and afternoon snacks. The extra containers that are included to help keep lunch organized are a definite bonus.</p>

<h1>Drink containers: </h1><br />
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<p>While some schools have milk service available, most kids need to pack at least a bottle of water. And for that, we recommend the fabulous double-walled <a href="https://well.ca/products/swell-satin-collection-stainless_103683.html" target=_blank">S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle</a> ($38), which keeps beverages cold for 24 hours, and the leakproof <a href="http://www.staples.ca/en/Thermos-Hydration-Bottle-530ml/product_193267_2-CA_1_20001" target=_blank">Thermos Hydration Bottle</a> ($9.98) with a flip-up straw that both big and little kids will appreciate. For the occasional treat, fill this fun <a href="http://www.staples.ca/en/Juice-in-the-Box-Reuseable-Drink-Box-8-oz-Assorted/product_1585375_2-CA_1_20001" target=_blank">Juice in the Box Reuseable Drink Box</a> ($15) with homemade juice—or water—so you control the ingredients.</p><br />
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<h1>Reusable napkins: </h1><br />
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<p>Want to save clothes from becoming napkins this school year? Try packing reusable cloth napkins like these cuties from <a href="http://www.myfunkins.com/cloth-napkins/" target=_blank">Funkins</a> ($10 each). They’re lead- and phthalate-free and can simply be tossed into the washing machine at the end of the day.</p><br />

<h1>Sandwich bags: </h1><br />
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<p>We’re big fans of silicone—it’s easy to clean and can handle extreme temperatures. These versatile <a href="http://www.silikids.com/store/p42/SiliBag_2pack.html" target=_blank">SiliBags</a> ($11.95 per two-pack) offer a great alternative to plastic containers and they’re super-easy for even the youngest school-goers to open and close. </p><br />

<h1>Snack bags: </h1><br />
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<p>If you’ve ever tried to clean the corners of zip-up snack bags, you know you always wonder what may still be lurking. Say goodbye to questionable cleanliness with these snack bags from <a href="http://www.2redhenscollection.com/products/grey-damask-snack-bags" target=_blank">2 Red Hens</a> ($15 per two-pack), which zip open on three sides to lay completely flat. </p><br />

<h1>Sistema: </h1><br />
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<p>This <a href="http://www.staples.ca/en/Sistema-Small-Split-Lunch-Container-350ml-Assorted/product_1013952_2-CA_1_20001" target=_blank">small split lunch container</a> ($7.98) is just the tip of the Sistema iceberg. We’ve been addicted to Sistema lunch gear for years—and with good reason. The well-thought-out designs are compact, dishwasher-safe and easy for even the littlest fingers to handle.</p><br />

<h1>GLAD Mini Rounds: </h1><br />
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<p><a href="https://glad.ca/food-storage/products/containers/mini-round/" target=_blank">GLAD containers</a>?, you're thinking. I know. But it'll all make sense when I tell you that eight of these little bad boys is only about five bucks. Don't spare any fancy stick-on labels—just use a Sharpie and hope for the best. And if they don't come home? Oh well. Toss that into the no-big-deal pile!</p><br />